overlook 1 of 2

1
as in to dominate
to look down on the fortress overlooks the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
4
as in to possess
to cast a spell on the superstitious grandmother actually believed that the baby had been overlooked by a gypsy woman

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5
6
7

overlook

2 of 2

noun

as in lookout
a high place or structure from which a wide view is possible just down the road there's a great overlook where you can get a panoramic view of the valley below

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word overlook distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of overlook are disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

When would disregard be a good substitute for overlook?

While in some cases nearly identical to overlook, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When is it sensible to use forget instead of overlook?

While the synonyms forget and overlook are close in meaning, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

Where would ignore be a reasonable alternative to overlook?

The words ignore and overlook can be used in similar contexts, but ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is neglect a more appropriate choice than overlook?

The words neglect and overlook are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

When can slight be used instead of overlook?

In some situations, the words slight and overlook are roughly equivalent. However, slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting.

slighted several major authors in her survey

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overlook
Verb
Kaytron Allen, though, clearly has been the better back this season — and that won’t go overlooked by scouts. Dane Brugler, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 Welcome to an essential but largely overlooked — and underappreciated — task required to get a college football team’s gear from here to there for game day. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
The often snowy State Route 67, stretching some 43 miles south from Jacob Lake Inn to the lodge and scenic overlooks, goes unplowed after the first big storm. Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 5 Oct. 2025 Tenants of The Grand overlook the parking lot, which sits just south of the apartment building. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overlook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlook
Verb
  • Paris dominated global fashion traffic, accounting for 49 percent of views compared with 25 percent for Milan, 17 percent for New York and 9 percent for London, Tagwalk founder and chief executive officer Alexandra Van Houtte said during a presentation on Thursday.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Continue reading … TOXIC TEXTS – Jay Jones’ ‘two bullets’ scandal over violent texts expected to dominate Virginia AG debate.
    , FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Premier League football in the 2000s could be dramatic and explosive, but what the nostalgia for that era ignores is the number of dour, sterile games there were, many of them settled by a goal from a set piece.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • At some point, the truth becomes impossible to ignore.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Sebastio supervises retail, finance and an in-house team of three designers for product consistency, as the brand was first inspired by his own and his father’s wardrobe.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Exantus was previously permitted to be supervised in Florida upon his release from prison in accordance with an interstate compact, Hall said.
    Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Lewis was not allowed to possess guns due to two felony convictions, for assault in 2021 and false imprisonment earlier this year.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Because of this, ice bunkers were generally only utilized by social elites such as the royals, who possessed the necessary technological know-how and labor force.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • From migrants and colonizers to gossip and war, Emily Wilson examines The Aeneid and its relevance to the modern world.
    tumblr.com, tumblr.com, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Big Deal Grant Thornton has released the third installment of its Digital Transformation survey, which examines executives’ perspectives on the role of governance and compliance in technology use and how these factors support resilience.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ole Miss’s narrow escape cost it a position in the US LBM Coaches Poll, but all will be forgiven if the Rebels survive their next two assignments on the road.
    Erick Smith, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The whole point of the conversation is forgiven by who?
    Leia Mendoza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This means astronauts will have to diagnose, treat, and manage crises without ground support, even if a crew member becomes incapacitated.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The chicken scene generally captures the way Orlean can cast a thoughtful eye over her life’s experiences and still manage to be funny while not dismissing the darts life threw at her.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The complaint also alleges that Dennis did not maintain proper lookout, did not keep her vehicle under proper control, did not apply her brakes, and did not utilize the last clear chance, in addition to driving under the influence.
    Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
  • These historic mines offer great mountainous lookouts.
    Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 7 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overlook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlook. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on overlook

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!